Eimeria cicaki sp. n. and Isospora thavari sp. n. from the House Lizard Gehyra mutilata Boulenger in Malaysia*

SYNOPSIS. Oocysts and endogenous stages of new species of Eimeria and Isospora from the house lizard, Gehyra mutilata, are described. The ellipsoid to subspherical 2-layered oocysts of E. cicaki averaged 24.0 × 21.0 μm. Polar granules are present. Micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent. Ellipsoid sporocysts average 12.2 × 9.0 μm. A sporocyst residuum is present, but the Stieda body is absent. Endogenous stages are in epithelial cells of the small intestine. The subspherical single-layered oocysts of I. thavari average 23.8 × 22.8 μm. The polar granule is present; micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent. Ellipsoid sporocysts average 12.8 × 9.4 μm. Stieda body and sporocyst residuum are present. There are endogenous stages in epithelial cells of the small intestine.     

Coccidia of Malaysian Mammals: New Host Records and Descriptions of Three New Species of Eimeria*

SYNOPSIS. In a survey of parasites of wild mammals of Malaysia 3 new species of Eimeria were found. Eimeria tupaiae sp. n. is described from the common tree shrew, Tupaia glis. Its ellipsoidal to spherical, 3-layered oocysts average 20 × 19 μm. A micropyle is absent; an oocyst residuum and polar granule are present. Ellipsoidal sporocysts average 11 × 7 μm. A sporocyst residuum and Stieda body are present. Eimeria ptilocerci sp. n. is described from the pen-tail tree shrew, Ptilocercus lowii. The ellipsoidal to spherical, 2-layered oocysts average 23 × 20 μm. A micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent; polar granules are present. The ellipsoidal sporocysts average 13 × 7 μm. A sporocyst residuum and Stieda body are present. Eimeria muuli sp. n. is described from the pencil-tailed tree mouse, Chiropodomys gliroides. The ellipsoidal single-layered oocysts average 25 × 19 μm. A micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent; a polar granule is present. The ellipsoidal sporocysts average 13 × 8 μm. A sporocyst residuum and Stieda body are present. In addition, new host records are reported as follows: E. miyairii Ohira from Whitehead's rat Rattus whiteheadi and the Malaysian wood rat, R. tiomanicus; E. separata Becker & Hall from Mueller's rat, R. muelleri, the chestnut rat, R. fulvescens, and the Malaysian wood rat, R. tiomanicus; E. nieschulzi Dieben from the red spiny rat, R. surifer and the chestnut rat, R. fulvescens; and E. callosciuri Colley from the grey-bellied squirrel, Callosciurus caniceps and the black-banded squirrel, C. nigrovittatus.     

Eimeria clethrionomyis sp. n., Eimeria gallatii sp. n., Eimeria pileata sp. n. and Eimeria marconii sp. n. from the Red-Backed Vole Clethrionomys gapperi Vigors,from Pennsylvania§

SYNOPSIS Four new eimerian species are described from red-backed voles. Clethrionomys gapperi in Pennsylvania. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria clethrionomyis sp. n. are ellipsoidal, 18.8 (16.5–21.5) × 14.9 (14.0–16.5) with elongate, ovoid sporocysts, 10.6 (9.5–12.0) × 6.1 (5.5–7.0). The oocyst wall is smooth, with 2 layers, and thins, with terminal cap at one or both ends. Polar granules, dark Stieda body and sporocyst residuum are present. The occyst residuum is absent. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria gallatii sp. n. are ellipsoidal, 27.7 (21–32) × 19.3 (17–24) with ovoid sporocysts, 13.5 (12–15) × 8.8 (8–10). The oocyst wall is smooth, 2-layered, with a micropyle and thin wall at the end opposite the micropyle. Polar granules. Stieda body and sporocyst residuum are present. The oocyst residuum is atypical, of cobwebby material. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria pileata sp. n. are subspherical to spherical, 25.2 (20.5–29.5) × 22.5(19.5–25.5) with ellipsoidal sporocysts, 13.4(10.5–15.0) × 8.4 (7.5–9.5). The oocyst wall is rough, pitted, striated, 2-layered, with no micropyle. Polar granules, oocyst and sporocyst residuum. Stieda body and stiedal cap are present. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria marconii sp. n. are ellipsoidal, 13.0 (10.5–15.0) × 10.6 (9.5–12.0) with elongate, ovoid sporocysts, 7.7 (7.0–8.5) × 4.2 (3.0–4.5). The oocyst wall is smooth, single-layered, with no micropyle. Polar granules, dark Stieda body and sporocyst residuum are present. There is no oocyst residuum.     

Coccidia of Brazilian Mammals: Eimeria corticulata N. Sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Anteater Tamandua tetradactyla (Xenarthra: Myrmecophagidae) and Eimeria zygodontomyis N. Sp. from the Cane Mouse Zygodontomys lasiurus (Rodentia: Cricetidae)

Feces from a specimen of Tamandua tetradactyla (Linn.) from Portel, Para State, north Brazil, contained two different coccidial oocysts; one identified as Eimeria tamanduae Lainson 1968, and the other as a new species, described here as Eimeria corticulata n. sp. Oocysts of E. corticulata are ellipsoidal, 37.4 × 30.4 (31.2–43.7 × 23.7–35.0) μm, shape index (length/width) 1.2 (1.0–1.5). Oocyst wall 2.5–3.7 μm thick and composed of two layers; an outer thick, brown-yellow one with radial striations, and a thin inner smooth one: no visible micropyle. Oocyst residuum a large globule of about 10.7 × 10.3 μm, usually accompanied by a number of smaller attached globules. Sporocysts ellipsoidal, 21.0 × 11.0 (20.0–22.5 × 10.0–12.5) μm, with a conspicuous Stieda body: shape index 1.9 (1.6–2.2). Sporocyst residuum a small number of scattered granules: sporozoites 18.7 × 5.0 μm, with a large posterior refractile body. Eimeria zygodontomyis n. sp. is described in feces from Zygodontomys lasiurus (Lund) from the Serra dos Carajas, Para. Oocysts ellipsoidal to cylindrical, 16.5 × 12.0 (13.7–18.7 × 11.2–12.3) μm, shape index 1.4 (1.2–1.5). Wall colorless, smooth, single-layered and about 0.6 μm thick: no micropyle. No oocyst residuum, but a polar granule of about 1.8 × 1.0 μm is sometimes present. Sporocysts ellipsoidal, 8.4 × 5.5(7.5–8.7 × 5.0–6.2) μm, shape index 1.5 (1.4–1.7), with a thin colorless wall and a delicate Stieda body. Sporozoites enclose a compact residuum of about 2.5 × 3.7 μm.     

Eimeria lipura and E. landersi n. spp. (Protozoa,Eimeriidae) from the Long-tailed Porcupine Trichys lipura Günther, 1876 in Malaysia1

SYNOPSIS. Oocysts of 2 new species of Eimeria are described from the long-tailed porcupine Trichys lipura. The ovoid, 2-layered oocysts of E. lipura average 33.1 by 24.4 μ. A micropyle and polar granules are present; an oocyst residuum is absent. Ovoid sporocysts average 10.9 by 9.3 μ. A sporcyst residuum is present; Stieda body is absent. The subspherical, 3-layered oocyst of E. landersi averages 25.2 by 24.2 μ. An oocyst residuum is absent; a polar granule is present. Ovoid sporocysts average 11.7 by 7.9 μ. A sporcysts residuum is present; a Stieda body is absent.     

Caryospora corallae n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Sporozoea, Eimeriidae) from the Emerald Tree Boa Corallus caninus (Serpentes: Boidae)

Oocysts of Caryospora corallae n. sp. were isolated from the feces of three Emerald Tree Boas Corallus caninus. The spherical oocysts of C. corallae averaged 22.4 μn (range 18.7 to 24.6) in diameter and were lacking a micropyle and oocyst residuum; a polar granule was present. The ovoid sporocysts measured 19.1(17.6-20.0) × 13.1(11.7-14.0) μm and a sporocyst residuum and a Stieda body were present. The oocyst wall was approximately 1 μm thick. The sporulation was completed in about 5–6 days at 23 ± 2°C. This is the first report of the genus Caryospora from Corallus caninus a member of the Boidae.     

A New Species of Eimeria from the Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel, Spermophilus lateralis, in Northern Colorado

Oocysts of Eimeria morainensis n. sp. are described from the golden-mantled ground squirrel, Spermophilus lateralis. in Northern Colorado. The oocysts of E. morainensis are double-walled and subspherical, 20.3 × 19.8 (18.7–26.2 × 17.5–21.2) μm; and the sporocysts are ellipsoid, 12.1 × 6.9 (8.7–13.7 × 6.2–8.7) μm. Oocyst residuum and micropyle are absent, but a polar granule is present. Sporocyst residuum and Stieda body are present. Differences in oocyst characteristics provide the basis for recognition of this new species of Eimeria.     

Eimeria dalli sp. n. (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) from Dall Sheep Ovis dalli

Eimeria dalli sp. n. is described from fecal samples collected from Dall sheep, Ovis dalli, from the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. The oocysts are spherical or subspherical with mean dimensions of 43.7 × 37.4 μm. The outer oocyst wall is rough and irregular. No micropyle, micropylar cap or residuum was observed. Sporocysts were elongate ovoid with mean dimensions of 19.0 × 10.7 μm. Stieda bodies were not discernible.     

Eimeria tahamensis N. Sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Arabian Quail (Coturnix delegorguei arabica)1

Eimeria tahamensis n. sp. is described from the harlequin quail (Coturnix delegorguei arabica) from Tahama, Saudi Arabia. The sporulated oocysts of E. tahamensis n. sp. are ellipsoid, 36.5–42 × 25.5–29 (41.2 ± 1.34 × 28.4 ± 0.81) μm, with a thick two-layered wall and one polar granule but without a micropyle or an oocyst residuum. The sporocysts are ovoid, 14–16 × 9–11.5 (15.3 ± 0.7 × 10.8 ± 0.64) μm, with a knob-like Stieda body and sporocyst residuum, but without a substiedal body. The sporozoites are often located transversely at the two ends of the sporocysts. The host bird belongs to the order Galliformes.     

In Vitro Excystation of Cryptosporidium baileyi from Chickens1

Release of sporozoites from the oocysts of Cryptosporidium baileyi is described from Nomarski interference-contrast microscopy. Just prior to excystation, the four sporozoites became motile and rearranged themselves within the oocyst. The sporozoites were then rapidly expelled through an opening that formed in the oocyst wall, and the residuum was either released or retained within the oocyst. Excysted sporozoites were crescent shaped and measured 5.0–9.0 μm × 1.0–1.6 μm (x?= 6.8 × 1.1 μm). Excystation occurred when sodium taurocholate or a mixture of trypsin and sodium taurocholate was present in the incubation medium. High levels of excystation occurred at 37° or 40°C, but excystation did not occur at 4°C. The ability of biles from two avian and two mammalian hosts to produce excystation of C. baileyi was also studied. After a 2-h incubation at 40°C, the percentages of excystation were 69.5% in goat bile, 45.0% in pig bile, 33.0% in chicken bile, and 34.5% in turkey bile.     

Exogenous Stages of Isospora serini (Aragão) and Isospora canaria sp. n. in the canary (serinus canarius Linnaeus)*

Exogenous stages of Isospora serini (Aragão) and Isospora canaria sp. n. from the canary (Serinus canarius Linnaeus) are described. Oocysts of I. serini are spheroid and average 19.2 × 20.1 μ m, while those of I. canaria are larger, more ellipsoid, and average 21.8 × 24.6 μ m. No oocyst residuum is present and the oocyst walls of both species are colorless, transparent, and single layered. Sporocysts average 9.4 × 15.2 μ m for I. serini and 11.5 × 18.1 μ m for I. canaria. The I. canaria sporocyst has a substiedal body, but none was found in I. serini sporocysts. Both species have a spherical sporocyst residuum; this was obscured in the I. serini sporocyst by scattered granules. Living sporozoites of I. canaria average 3.6 × 16.9 μ m and have 1 to 3 refractile globules; those of I. serini have 2 globules and average 2.8 × 12.6 μ m. A disseminated infection of the mononuclear phagocytes results from administration of I. serini while I. canaria oocysts give rise to a typical coccidian infection restricted to the intestinal epithelium. Asexual stages of I. serini in macrophages are indistinguishable from parasites previously called avian Toxoplasma, Atoxoplasma, and Lankesterella.     

Isospora dawadimiensis n. sp. (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) from the Jerboa (Jaculus jaculus) in Saudi Arabia

Isospora dawadimiensis n. sp. is described from the jerboa, Jaculus jaculus, from Dawadimi, Saudi Arabia. Sporulated oocysts of I. dawadimiensis n. sp. were ovoidal or nearly subspherical 22–26.5 times 20.5–22 μm (24.4 times 21.4 μm). Oocyst wall had one layer. Micropyle, oocyst residuum, and polar granule were absent. Sporocysts were ellipsoid 12–16.5 times 9–10.5 μm (14.6 times 9.9 μm). Sporocyst residuum was present. The sporocysts lack a Stieda body. Sporozoites 8–11 times 2–3 μm (10 times 2.6 μm) were sausage-shaped, slightly curved, and tapered at one end.     

Three New Species of Eimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Nerodia rhombifem (Serpentes: Colubridae) from Texas1

Three new species of Eimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) are described from the intestinal contents of Nerodia rhombifera (Serpentes: Colubridae) from Texas. Oocysts of Eimeria infirmus are irregular in shape, 11.6 (8.8–14.4) μm in diameter, with a smooth, thin wall that ruptures easily, releasing free sporocysts. A small polar granule is usually present, but a micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent. Sporocysts are bean-shaped with one side flattened slightly, 9.1 times 5.0 (7.2–10.4 times 4.4–5.8) μm, with what may be a Stieda body consisting of a slight thickening of one end of the sporocyst. Each sporocyst contains a spherical or ellipsoid residuum and sporozoites, each with a single, posterior refractile body. Oocysts of Eimeria rhombifera are spherical or subspherical, 13.1 times 12.6 (12.0–14.4 times 11.2–14.4) μm, with a smooth, frail wall. A polar granule is present, but a micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent. Sporocysts are ovoid, 8.8 times 5.5 (8.0–9.6 times 5.0–6.0) μm, each with a Stieda body. Each sporocyst contains a spherical or subspherical residuum and sporozoites, each with a single posterior refractile body. Oocysts of Eimeria tenuis are ellipsoidal in shape, 17.2 times 10.8 (15.2–20.8 times 9.6–12.0) μm, with a smooth, thin wall. A polar granule and oocyst residuum are present, but a micropyle is absent. Sporocysts are elongate, 13.2 times 4.9(11.2–15.2 times 4.4–5.6) μm, each with a Stieda body consisting of a thickening of the sporocyst wall. Each sporocyst contains a spherical or subspherical residuum and sporozoites with anterior and posterior refractile bodies.     

Eimeria ladronensis n. sp. and E. albigulae (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Woodrat,Neotoma albigula (Rodentia: Cricetidae)1

Of 50 white-throated woodrats (Neotoma albigula) collected from Socorro Co., New Mexico, 21 (42%) had eimerian oocysts in their feces when examined. Of the 21 Neotoma found positive for Eimeria, 19 (90%) harbored a single eimerian species at time of examination. Eimeria albigulae Levine, Ivens & Kruidenier, 1957, was found in 18 (86%), and E. ladronensis n. sp. was found in five (24%) infected woodrats. Sporulated oocysts of E. ladronensis are ellipsoidal, 19–25 × 13–15 (21.4 ± 1.3 × 14.1 ± 1.1) μm, have a smooth wall and one or two polar granules, but lack a micropyle and an oocyst residuum. Sporocysts are tapered at one end, 7–10 × 6–7 (8.5 ± 0.7 × 6.5 ± 0.3) μm, and have a Stieda body and sporocyst residuum, but no substieda body. Prepatent periods for E. albigulae and E. ladronensis n. sp. are 5–6 and 8–9 days, respectively; patent periods are 7–18 and approximately 11 days, respectively.     

Coccidian Parasites (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Insectivores: New Species from Shrew Moles (Talpidae) in the United States1

All of 18 shrew moles, Neurotrichus gibbsii, collected in Oregon and Washington were infected with one or more species of coccidia. Three eimerians and one isosporan were identified and described as new species. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria heterocapita n. sp. were subspheroid to ellipsoid, 25.5 times 21.4 (23–27 times 18–23) μm. A membranous, cap-like structure was present at one pole of the oocyst, but a micropyle, oocyst residuum, and polar body were absent. Ovoid sporocysts were 13.6 times 10.0 (12–15 times 9–11) μm; a compact sporocyst residuum was present, but Stieda, sub-, and parastieda bodies were absent. This species was found in 2 of 18 (11%) hosts. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria neurotrichi n. sp. were avoid, 17.6 times 13.6 (16–20 times 11–16) μm; micropyle and oocyst residuum were absent, but a polar body was present. Ovoid sporocysts were 10.7 times 5.5 (9–12 times 5–6) μm; Stieda body and sporocyst residuum were present, but sub- and parastieda bodies were absent. This species was found in 2 of 18 (11%) hosts. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria parastiedica n. sp. were subspheroid, 27.4 times 25.5 (25–30 times 22–28) μm; micropyle, oocyst residuum, and polar body were absent. Ovoid sporocysts, pointed at both ends, were 18.3 times 10.4 (16–20 times 9–11) μm; Stieda, sub-, and parastieda bodies were present as was a sporocyst residuum. This species was found in 2 of 18 (11%) hosts. Sporulated oocysts of Isospora neurotrichi n. sp. were subspheroid, 13.9 times 12.0 (11–16 times 10–15) μm; micropyle and oocyst residuum were absent, but 1–3 polar bodies were present. Ellipsoid sporocysts were 9.2 times 6.1 (8–11 times 5–8) μm; sub- and parastieda bodies were absent, but a Stieda body and sporocyst residuum were present. This species was found in 17 of 18 (94%) hosts. Ten of 18 (56%) hosts were seen to be naturally infected with only one coccidium.     

Four New Species of Isospora from the Small Tree Finch (Camarhynchus parvulus) from the Galapagos Islands1

ABSTRACT. Four isosporan species are described from the small tree finch, Camarhynchus parvulus from Isabela Island on the Galapagos Archipelago. Isospora exigua n. sp. oocysts subspheroidal, one-layered, smooth, yellow-brown color, 20.4 × 20.1 (20-23 × 18-23) μm, with no micropyle, residuum, or polar body. Sporocysts ovoidal, 14 × 9.5 (13-15 × 8-10) μm, with small Stieda and substieda bodies and irregular-shaped residuum. Isospora rotunda n. sp. oocysts subspheroidal, single-layered, smooth, yellow-brown wall with large polar body and no micropyle or residuum, 20.9 × 20.8 (20-24 × 19-23) μm. Sporocysts ovoidal, 15 × 9.7 (13-16 × 9-10) μm with knob-like Stieda bodies, prominent substieda bodies and round residuum. Isospora fragmenta n. sp. oocysts subspheroidal with no micropyle or residuum but with many splinter-like polar granules and a smooth, colorless, single-layered wall, 25.3 × 24.2 (24-27 × 23-25) μm. Sporocysts piriform 15.4 × 11.5 (14-17 × 11-12) μm with knob-like Stieda bodies, prominent substieda bodies, and irregular-shaped residuum. Isospora temeraria n. sp. oocysts ellipsoidal with one polar body, no micropyle or residuum, and wall of a single layer, smooth, yellow-brown color, 25.4 × 21.1 (21-30 × 17-23) μm. Sporocysts piriform, 15 × 10 (14-15 × 9-11) μm with knob-like Stieda bodies, prominent substieda bodies, and a round residuum. One woodpecker finch, Cactospiza pallida, was found to be infected with I. exigua, and a warbler finch, Certhidea olivacea was infected with I. fragmenta.     

Eimeria scholtysecki n. sp. from Ord's Kangaroo Rat Dipodomys ordii*

SYNOPSIS. Eimeria scholtysecki n. sp. is described from Ord's kangaroo rat Dipodomys ordii. The sporulated oocysts are broadly ovoid to ellipsoid, averaging 24.6 by 19.6 μ. A polar granule is present. A micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent. The ovoid sporocysts average 12.1 by 8.0 μ, and have small, flattened Stieda bodies. The distinctive sporocyst residuum is composed of coarse granules. The mean prepatent period was 8.2 days. Five inoculated rats apparently became reinfected and discharged oocysts for 30 days or more.     

Eimeria balphae n. sp. from the Ord Kangaroo Rat Dipodomys ordii*

SYNOPSIS. Eimeria balphae n. sp. is described from the Ord kangaroo rat Dipodomys ordii. The sporulated oocysts are broadly ellipsoidal to ovoid, averaging 16.7 by 14.3 μ. A single, large, homogenous body represents the oocyst residuum. A polar granule is present. There is no micropyle. The ovoid sporocysts average 8.7 by 5.9 μ. The sporocyst residuum is composed of 7–14 round, clear granules. This species of Eimeria was found in 1 of 82 D. ordii in northwestern Utah.     

Eimeria beldingii n. sp. and Other Coccidia (Apicomplexa) of the Ground Squirrel Spermophilus beldingi1

Fecal samples of 36 ground squirrels, Spermophilus beldingi, from Tioga Pass (elev. ca. 3315 m) in the Sierra Nevada, California, yielded oocysts of Eimeria beckeri in nine squirrels, E. citelli in four squirrels, E. beldingii n. sp. in two squirrels, and degenerated, unidentifiable oocysts in ten squirrels. Eimeria beldingii n. sp. oocysts are ellipsoidal, 30–34 × 24–30 (mean 32 × 26) μm with a two-layered, rough, striated wall, without a micropyle or residuum, with polar granules; they contain ellipsoidal or ovoid sporocysts 11–15 × 9–12 (mean 13 × 10) μm with a Stieda body and residuum.